Thanks Fulano this is interesting news and what sounds like a no brainer for cable customers, of course I'm sure NTL/Telewest wouldn't be quite as happy for people to know this!

Hi Jason
Yes, Phone Coop do carrier pre-select on BT lines along with lots of other telcos, but more useful to Carl if he's stuck, they also offer cheaper calls on cable lines via a dial prefix. Few alternative telcos do this apparently
cheers
fulano

Hi Fulano / Carl

I'm guessing the Phone Co-op is a carrier pre select company, if so it's a good idea and worth checking out to save money on phone calls. I think it also offers broadband packages but we've not checked it out properly as of yet, watch this space.

Hi Carl
if you end up stuck with ntl, you can at least save a bit on phonecalls by signing up with The Phone Co-op. You route your calls via them at better rates, eg no connection charge, min call charge 1p. I do this. They offer this service on any lines, email me at rmaylan AT ntlworld.com and I can send you details.
cheers
fulano

Hi Carl

The short answer is no, there are no other cable operators in the UK that would be able to help you, (unless you live in the far north of England, parts of Scotland or the Isle of Wight where Wight Cable might be an alternative).

Best advice I can give you is to start by finding out how long you have left on your contract. If your contract period has expired it means you can switch anytime without paying a cancellation fee.

Next step is to contact NTL/Telewest and say that you are going to switch to another provider and how do you go about doing it, (saying Sky usually motivates them the most). They will put you in contact with what's called a cancellation team - this team have the authority to to try and offer you any kind of deal to make sure you don't switch.

Consider the offer from the cancellation team, if you're happy with it and it's better than what you're on then sign-up - be aware this will mean they'll lock you in to a 12mth contract again.

If it's still not good enough then I'd go looking for comparable deals from Sky and if you're inside the M25 Homechoice are doing some very good deals also.

Good luck.

Can you please help, i currently subscribe to NTL, for my Broadband (8mb), Phone, & Digital TV (all the film channels & Sports) my monthly bill is around £90.

Because my house is connected via NTL cable only, can i use an other supplier to try to reduce my monthly bill.

Rgds
Carl